EchoStar Europe Enables Digital TV Convergence at IBC2009

Tuesday, September 8th, 2009

At IBC2009 EchoStar Europe — (Hall 4, Stand B.54) — Will Invite Digital TV Operators to Embrace New Technology to Enable the Optimisation of Network Revenues; With a New Range of Hybrid Products Sporting Value-Added Feature-Sets, Such as OTT TV, Home Networking and Place-Shifting, Operators Will See How They Can Meet Consumers’ Changing Entertainment Needs Profitably

STEETON, United Kingdom — EchoStar Europe (NASDAQ: SATS), the leading supplier of added-value, connected device solutions to the digital television industry, will showcase multiple solutions at IBC2009 that support consumers’ needs for converged entertainment services.

Following its re-launch at IBC2008, EchoStar Europe has swiftly established a new range of products, including set-top boxes (STB) and digital video recorders (DVR), for cable and IPTV operators and is ready to showcase a unique combination of added-value technology, applications and services that converge to form a readily deployable and universal home networking and place-shifting environment — commonly referred to as the ‘TV anywhere’ experience. The company has continued to develop its incumbent satellite business sector, supplying a number of new and cost-effective HD platforms which will be demonstrated LIVE at the show.

The company has integrated Slingbox™ technology from Sling Media and will, for the first time, showcase its SlingLoaded™ DVR platform for European digital TV operators which will deliver the benefits of market-proven home networking and place-shifting to consumers, whilst providing opportunities for operators to develop their service portfolios, reduce churn and increase revenues by embracing consumer’s need for flexible entertainment delivery.

“We felt that it was extremely important to establish a new range of leading-edge set-top boxes and digital video recorders and to supply connected devices that enable operators to take full advantage of consumers’ increasing needs for ubiquitous entertainment”, commented Rick Smith, VP Sales and Marketing at EchoStar Europe. “Content delivery has already passed the point of convergence with consumers demanding entertainment on-demand from multiple channels, through a single point of entry — our SlingLoaded solutions facilitate convergence and allow the operator to develop new revenues, increase loyalty and create a more desirable service”.

The company will emphasise how new technology is central to enabling operators to achieve a strong and competitive portfolio of next-generation, converged services including HD, DVR, OTTTV, IPTV, home networking and place-shifting. EchoStar Europe’s participation in the SlingLoaded™ integration programme — unique technology that brings home-networking and place-shifting directly to the STB or DVR — will provide a highlight at the show. Operators will see how they can enrich their current service portfolios to meet consumer demand for ‘on-the-go’ services, by enabling them to pull content securely to devices inside and outside the home — including laptops, PMP players, mobile phones and iPhone™ — to deliver a flexible and all-encompassing entertainment experience that will provide new revenue opportunities and powerful tools for reducing churn.

Highlights at IBC2009 include:

  • Fully integrated SlingLoaded™ DVR platform for European DTV operators – to enable operators to deliver the benefits of home-networking and place-shifting to consumers in a single, user-friendly product format. The product will place-shift content to a wide variety of devices including mobile phones, PMPs, lap-top computers and EchoStar’s new wireless TV monitor that can be taken anywhere in the home.
  • Complete range of cable product platforms – from digital converter set-top boxes to fully-functioning digital video recorders. The company will demonstrate its feature-rich high definition (HD), HDC-600 series product. Available with either a DOCSIS®/EuroDOCSIS™-enabled or an IP based high-speed, high-bandwidth return channel, the product supports both broadcast and two-way/interactive cable services, such as video-on-demand, in addition to DVR. EchoStar Europe will also showcase its high-end SlingLoaded™ platform with tru2way™ technology; the T2200S.
  • Hybrid and convergent products – launched earlier this year, the HDX-600 series HD, IPTV DVR is designed to provide operators with a cost effective, hybrid set-top box with DVR. Available with either an integrated hard disk drive, or as a stand alone set-top box (HDX-400) with an upgrade path to DVR via plug in HDD, the unit offers a great deal of flexibility to IPTV operators wishing to offer personalised digital television services to their customers.
  • Advanced user interface on the award-winning EchoStar SlingLoaded™ 900 Series DVR – enables user friendly access to a fully converged entertainment experience including services delivered over-the-top (OTT TV), via IPTV, broadcast or events recorded on the DVR’s hard disk drive. The solution features a tile-based navigation system and state-of-the-art point and click remote control. The GUI has also been integrated with SlingGuide to provide remote access to content and DVR control outside the home.

Visit EchoStar Europe at IBC2009 in hall 4, stand number B54 and or contact mark.goodburn@echostar.com to book your personal product demonstration.

EchoStar’s SlingLoaded™ 900 Series DVR has been nominated for 3 awards at Cable and Satellite International’s Product of the Year Awards to be announced at the show.